Semiconductor/metal read sensor for magnetic recording

摘要

Herein is disclosed a method and apparatus for detecting a magnetic field stored upon magnetically-enclosable material with a semiconductor/metal read head. A region of the magnetically-encodable material is brought in proximity to a semiconductor mass with at least one conductive region embedded therein. An electrical current is directed through the semiconductor mass, flowing in a direction approximately parallel to the magnetically-encodable material. The semiconductor mass is magnetically biased. The biasing magnetic field is approximately perpendicular to the magnetically-encodable material. Finally, a change in resistance to current flowing through the semiconductor mass is detected. The change in resistance indicates magnitude and direction of the magnetic field stored upon the magnetically-encodable material.